Panthers overpower Mount Allison in third period in 4-1 win
The UPEI Panthers scored three times in the third period on their way to a 4-1 win against the Mount Allison Mounties.
By Thomas Becker
The UPEI Panthers scored three times in the third period on their way to a 4-1 win against the Mount Allison Mounties.
The home team used a balanced attack again, which has become an encouraging trend through nine games. Jolena Gillard, Kaylee Dufresne, Katelynn Nice and Faith Steeves each recorded a goal in the win.
"That's the key for us," said Panthers head coach Bruce Donaldson. "We're hard to play against when we're getting offence from all our lines."
The usually aggressive Panthers (7-2) came out flat to begin and did just enough to keep the game locked up at zeroes after one.
"We did enough to get by," Donaldson said. "We got away from our speed piece and played fairly content."
That changed early in the second when they capitalized on a power play that carried over from the first period. Gillard took a pass on the left wing, wrapped around the net and shot it low past the screened goaltender to break the deadlock.
UPEI carried that lead into the third thanks to another strong performance from the defence that allowed just three shots in the period and 13 overall.
A series of short quick passes on a rush led to a Dufresne goal a minute into the final stanza to extend the lead 2-0. Four minutes later, Rachel Colle sent a cross-ice pass to Nice, who rushed toward the net and slid a shot past Bianca Zak for the team's second power play marker of the game.
The Panthers entered the game 0-for 26 with the man-advantage and it's something they've been working on a lot in practice.
"With these first two goals, we know we can do it now," said Nice, who was named the Subway Player of the Game. "Every game we're going to come out knowing we can do it, which will help us out in the next few weeks."
The Mounties (1-7-1) got that goal back at 7:04, when Sydney Stotski stole the puck in the attacking zone and fired it in the top right corner.
At 9:34, Steeves skated in from the neutral zone and sent a low shot past Zak to close out the scoring.
UPEI looks to make it two wins in a row when they take on the visiting UNB Reds Nov. 3 at 2 p.m.
"We have to play a full 60 against them," Nice said. "It can go either way in this league, so we have to come out and play hard."
Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan